The instructions on this page are intended for you if you have received from the Finnish National Agency for Education a conditional decision on the recognition of professional qualifications (Act 1384/2015 or Act 1093/2007) or on sufficient studies for teaching in a foreign language (decree 986/1998, section 21).
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The objective of the aptitude test is to evaluate your ability to practice the profession. The aptitude test for teachers consists of three subject areas. Finnish National Agency for Education's decision determines which of the three subject areas are included in your aptitude test.

If you would like to complete the aptitude test, register with a university as a candidate for the aptitude test and agree on the timetable for taking the test and its details. The university may charge a fee for arranging the test.

The aptitude test consists of 1–3 areas and a feedback session at the end of the test.

The university will indicate literature for you to read for preparing for the test. In addition, you should familiarise yourself with the key Finnish core curricula from the point of view of the teaching post. You can read about the core curricula in Finnish: 

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Subject area 1: Exploring being a teacher

Method of completion: An essay on the topic “Exploring being a class teacher / subject teacher / special needs teacher”

In the essay, you will demonstrate that you have familiarised yourself with the main topical research information from the point of view of your teaching profession. Use at least two of the sources indicated by the university and take advantage of your education and your personal experiences. The length of the essay is 7-10 pages.

Subject area 2: Finnish school

Method of completion: An essay on the topic “Finnish school”

In your essay, you will demonstrate your knowledge of Finnish teaching practices and the Finnish school system, as well as the central provisions and regulations with regard to your profession.

Use at least two of the sources, provisions and regulations indicated by the university, and any personal experience you may have of Finnish schools. The length of the essay is 7-10 pages.

Subject area 3: Demonstration of teaching skills

Method of completion: Lessons observed and given by the candidate and their reporting

In the teaching skills demonstration, you will demonstrate your teaching skills and your knowledge of the Finnish core curriculum followed in the teaching position. You must find a school and an instructor in order to demonstrate your teaching skills. Have the school and the instructor approved by the university.

Below, you will find descriptions of the content of the teaching skills demonstration and the number of the lessons observed and given by the candidate in different teaching positions. The university may require you to observe or give a different number of lessons in the demonstration of teaching skills.

Demonstration of teaching skills of class teachers:

Finnish National Agency for Education’s decision determines the subjects taught in primary education in which you must complete the demonstration of teaching skills. One of the subjects is usually mother tongue and literature (content: reading and writing).

The teaching skills demonstration includes 1–2 observation lessons and 2–3 lessons given by you in each subject taught. However, you must observe a total of at least 3 lessons and give a total of at least 6 lessons.

Demonstration of teaching skills of subject teachers:

Finnish National Agency for Education’s decision determines the subjects in which you must complete the demonstration of teaching skills. If necessary, the decision will also specify whether you will demonstrate your teaching skills in primary and lower secondary education, general upper secondary education or both.

If you have to complete the demonstration of teaching skills in a single subject, it must include 2 observation lessons and 3 lessons given. If you have to complete the demonstration of teaching skills in two or more subjects, it must include 1–2 observation lessons and 2–3 lessons given in each subject. However, you must observe a total of at least 3 lessons and give a total of at least 6 lessons.

Demonstration of teaching skills of special needs teachers and special class teachers:

The decision determines whether you must complete the demonstration of teaching skills as a special needs teacher or a special class teacher, or whether you can choose between the two.

The demonstration of teaching skills includes 3 observation lessons and 6 lessons given.

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The instructing teacher writes an evaluation of the demonstration of teaching skills.

Write a report about the demonstration of teaching skills according to the instructions given to you by the recipient of the aptitude test. If necessary, the recipient of the aptitude test can instruct you to emphasise a certain section in the content of the report. The length of the report is 7-10 pages.

Include in the report

1. An overall description of the demonstration of teaching skills

  • the school and the teaching position in which you demonstrated your teaching skills
  • lessons given during the demonstration of teaching skills: the dates, times and content of the lessons included in the demonstration, and evaluations by you and the instructing teacher on how the goals were met
  • the school environment and its operating resources
  • the goals of the demonstration lessons (both the lessons given and the lessons observed by you)
  • description of learning: a description of the learning in the class/group on a general level
  • a description of the support received from the instructing teacher and co-workers

2. Pedagogical thinking

Describe your pedagogical thinking from the following perspectives:

  • your own philosophy of education and the related theoretical bases in educational sciences
  • pedagogical solutions in teaching (teaching methods and materials, and ways of working)
  • interaction between the teacher and the learner, and interaction among learners
  • differentiation in the teaching group
  • the educational dimension:
    • development of the learner’s self-esteem and discovery of own strengths
    • rules and norms and educating towards them
  • challenging experiences in the classroom situation (e.g. pupils’ learning difficulties or behavioural challenges)
  • changes in pedagogical thinking during the demonstration of teaching skills
  • achievement of your own goals.

3. In addition, the following applies to special needs teachers and special class teachers:

A description of 2–3 pupils: individual characteristics and learning difficulties and a description of the individual educational plan (IEP) of each pupil and the central goals of the plan.

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The aptitude test ends with a feedback session that is arranged when you have completed all parts of the aptitude test.

Before participating in the feedback session, send the written assignments related to the subject areas you have completed to the university arranging the aptitude test.

In the feedback session, you receive oral feedback on the subject areas that you completed in the aptitude test. It is also possible to discuss your professional development, for example, from the following points of view in the feedback session: the development of your own role as a teacher, your goals and self-assessment, and your philosophy of education.

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